Rails Through Robbinsdale

Most of us spent a fair amount of time along the railroad tracks when we were kids, but Dave Vos has pictures! Here are a few scenes along the rails through Robbinsdale and Crystal in the middle of the last century, captioned with Dave’s commentary.

Eastbound extra at 40-1/2 Ave in Robbinsdale. 1952? Notice the dust – he’s movin’!!
Great Northern local train switching in Robbinsdale. 40-1/2 Ave.
At 40-1/2 Ave. looking south.
This was the NEW safety barrier which blocked 40-1/2 Ave. at the railroad tracks. The former barrier was a piece of telephone pole buried in the ground with a yellow stop sign bolted to it. It worked….no one ever went through either one!
From 40-1/2 Ave. looking south. Train has just crossed 40th Ave. This area along the tracks was planted with vegetable gardens during the second world war, with the blessing of the railroad.
The Soo Line Railroad trestle over the channel between Upper and Lower Twin Lake. About 1952.
The Interlocking tower which protected the crossing of the Great Northern and Soo Line railroads in Crystal, Minn. This view is looking west and the buildings in the background are on West Broadway. The photo was taken from the edge of the road where U.S. Highway 52 crossed the Soo Line tracks. (Now Highway 81 or Bottineau Boulevard!)
Looking west on the Soo Line tracks from neat the Highway bridge.
Robbinsdale, looking north at 40-1/2 Ave.
East bound train at 40-1/2 Ave. in Robbinsdale. (geographical southbound)
Looking north from 40-1/2 Ave. toward Noble Ave. crossing. Scars on the ties are from the recent change in the location of the track switch. Before World War II, the siding track joined the main line on the far side of Noble Ave. Late in the war the switch was moved to the south side of Noble and joined the main line where the scars are located. There were two more moves and a change in the angle of the switch before they were done. The final switch ended up located nearly at the 40th Ave. road crossing!
Great Northern Railway crossing of Rockford Road – Robbinsdale, Minn. In the early 50’s the train stations roof eaves were cut back about three feet on the front and back. The platform was changed to poured concrete from Fir timbers. There were some huge slivers to be had if you weren’t careful.
A train pulled into the siding to meet another train. The signal arm being down indicated that the station agent had orders governing the further operation of this train. The man on the platform is probably the train’s conductor, who had come over to pick up those orders. The train is blocking Rockford Road which would indicate that the other train must have been nearby. If not, they would have to split the train and pull ahead to clear the crossing. (Little known history lesson…..)

2 thoughts on “Rails Through Robbinsdale”

  1. I remember a 39th and 1/2 street but no 40th and 1/2. My paper route ran from 38th to 39 and 1/2 and from Lee to Orchard. Of course, it ended at 39th on Orchard. I remember there being crossings at 38th (now blocked off), 39th and 1/2, Noble (turning into 41st) and 42nd.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.